Kurt Vile on tour with Courtney Barnett

Kurt Vile have announced a collaborative project with Courtney Barnett, including a North American tour and the release of a new album.

On the tour the pair will perform songs from their collaborative record backed by the Sea Lice, a band featuring Janet Weiss and Katie Harkin (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag), Rob Laakso (The Violators, The Swirlies, Mice Parade) and Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint).

Vile and Barnett’s upcoming album was recorded in 8 days, spread over the span of nearly 15 months. Regarding their collaboration, Barnett says in a statement: "In 2014 I scored a support slot opening for Kurt... We met briefly after the show but I was a bit nervous and didn't wanna bother him... Years later we started bumping into each other on the festival circuit all around the wide world and we became friends. He hit me up when he was coming to Melbourne next and said he thought we could work together".

Next Thursday, July 6 Kurt Vile will play Mad Cool Festival 2017 along with many other bands and performers, including Warpaint's Stella Mozgawa.